David g



(No Model.)

D. G. SLIGH.

v BOLT CUTTER.

No. 389,766. Patented Sept. 18, 1888.

WI TN ESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID G. SLIGH, OF KINGSTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO 1JOHN BERSGH, OF SAME PLACE.

BOLT-CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 389,766, datedSeptember 18, 1888.

(No model.)

.To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, DAVID G. SLIGH, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Kingston, in the county of Luzerne and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBolt-Cutters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters orfigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in bolt-cutters; andit consists in the novel construction and combination of certainmechanical deviceshaving a definite function, which will be more fullyhereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a device for facilitating theoperation of cutting bolts, the parts thereof being simple and effectivein their construction and operation, strong and durable, and easilyhandled.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated my preferred form ofconstruction, like letters of reference being used to indicate similarparts in the several views, and in which Figure l is a top plan view ofmy improved bolt-cutter. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of thelower plate.

A indicates the top plate, which is elliptical in shape and wider incross-section at one end than at the other. This plate is formed with anopening, a, which is eccentrically arranged therein, and provides agreater width and reenforcement of metal at one end of the plate, as ata",'than exists elsewhere. Suitable boltholes are also formed in thisplate at determined intervals. 4

B designates the lower plate, which is of solid construction, with theexception of the attaching-bolt holes therein and the bolt-opening 1),through which is inserted the bolts to be cut or trimmed. This plate Bis somewhat larger than the plate A, but of substantially the sameshape. The plate B is also constructed of sufficient thickness to givethe bolt 5o placed in the opening b to be cutsuitable bearing'supportagainst the pressure of the cutter and thereby obtain an even cut. Anextended curved block, B, and a small rest-block, B", are integrallyformed with one side of the plate B. As stated, the block B is of anextended curved construction, and is substantially parallel with theedge of the said plate B. Both of the said blocks are formed withbolt-holes, and between the blocks and adjacent to one end of the plate13 other bolt-holes are also formed. The block 13 forms a rest-block,and between each side thereof and the ends of the block B a space isformed to give free play to the opcrating parts.

E represents a crescentshaped cutter form 6 5 ed with a cutting-edge, e,the metal in rear of said edge being increased in width to therebystrengthen and re-enforce the said cutter. The one end of the cutter ispointed and the opposite end rounded and apertured. The aper- 7o turedend-of the said cutter is inserted between the plates A and B, andpivotally mounted and retained therein by a bolt and nut, G. The roundedend of the cutter E, beyond the pivotal point thereof, is formed with anintegral apertured lug, e, to which the lower end of a coiled spring, S,is attached. The opposite end of said coiled spring is attached to alug,

a, formed with the central part of the adjacent end of the top plate, A.The function of said spring is to return the cutter E to its normalposition, as shown in Fig. I. It will be understood from the abovedescription that a spring with a small amount of-inherent resiliency canbe used to produce a great retractile eifort, for 8 5 the reason thatthe coils of said spring impinge against the upper plate and retard themovement thereof to such an extent as to offer a resistance.

D indicates the handle, which is mounted 0 between the two plates A andB and directly under the increased part a of the plate A. The inner endof the handle D is enlarged, as at d, and has an aperture therein, andwhen the bolt 0 is passed therethrough and through the 9 5 plate A and Ban eccentric mounting thereof will be had, as fully shown in Fig. 1. The

bolt 0 passes through the re-enforced part of the plate A, and the saidplate at this point is thereby adapted to resist the strain brought 10cto bear upon the bolt 0, and thus avoid breakage of the said plate. Thenormal position of the handle D is at right angles to the cutter andframe, and the cutter is normally in contact therewith, being heldthereagainst by the coiled spring S. It will be understood that when theparts are all assembled, as described, the two plates A and B will bebolted together, as shown in Fig. 1.

When the handle D is turned, it forces the cutter E over the bolt-hole band cuts the bolt, if one be inserted therein. After cutting the bolt,the handle is released and the coiled spring S comes into play by itsretractile force and returns the cutter to its normal position andpresses the handle back at right angles to the frame. It will beself-evident that the cutter E must be harder and of greater temper thanits pivotal bolt 0 tinned movement of the cutter the pivotal bolt 0 willof necessity become worn and the cutter have loose play, which wouldproduce a ragged cut. This difiiculty is avoided by the construction andarrangement of the curved block 13. When the cutter reaches the dottedline 1 2, the point impinges against the inside wall of the block B, andin its movement also slightly bears against the said block. By thismeans any tendency of the cutter to make adraw-cut through its looscnessis avoided,and however loose the cutter may be on its pivot it willalways be forced squarely against the bolt to be cut. The blocks B and Balso form means for separating the plates A and B to allow the cutter tohave free movement, and also the handle D, and the block B forms apartial closed side. 4

I am aware that prior to my invention boltcutters have been constructedhaving a pair of handles,one of which is adapted to hold the cutter upona bolt, while the other handle,

Through the conwhich is pivoted to a stationary handle, bears upon amovable cutter; I do not claim this construction as my invention, suchbeing shown in Patents Nos. 16,991, 54,520, and 218,706.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. -In a bolt-cutter, the combination ofa lower plate having a plane or fiat outer surface and a perforation, b,an upper plate with a central opening, said plates being held separateone above the other by a curved block, B, a cutter pivoted between theplates so as to be moved over the perforation b, said cutter having anapertured lug with which one end of a coiled spring engages, said springlying over the outer edge of the curved block, to which its opposite endis secured, a single lover or handle, D, having a eamshaped end pivotedbetween the plates to bear upon the cutter and bolts, and nuts forsecuring the parts together.

2. The combination, in a bolt-cutter, of the upper and lower platespivoted to the handle or lever, the lower plate having an extendedportion upon which the handle or lever bears beyond its pivot, a cutterpivoted between the plates and held by spring-pressure against thecam-shaped end of the handle, so that there will be frictional contactbetween the cutter and handle suflicicnt for the manipulation of theimplement, the parts being organized substantially as shown, and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID G. SLIGH.

Witnesses:

J OHN Bunsen, F. P. RYDER.

